FedEx expands hybrid-electric fleet by 50 Percent with conversion program

FedEx Corp. announced the addition of 92 hybrid-electric trucks to its delivery fleet, the first standard FedEx delivery trucks converted to hybrid-electric systems.

The addition of the 92 trucks increases the FedEx fleet of hybrid-electric vehicles by more than 50 percent, from 172 to 264. FedEx extends its leadership position with the largest fleet of hybrid trucks in North America and continues to demonstrate the everyday viability of these vehicles. The FedEx hybrid-electric fleet has logged more than four million miles of revenue service since being introduced in 2004, reducing fuel use by 150,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 1,521 metric tons, which is equivalent to removing 279 cars from the road annually.

which provided the hybrid-electric systems. The standard FedEx trucks used in the retrofit program were 2000 or 2001 models with 300,000 to 500,000 miles driven. An added benefit of the conversion program is that it not only reduces pollution but also extends the life of the vehicles, helping to eliminate waste production and creating a reduce-and-reuse program.

“The conversion of these standard FedEx trucks into hybrids is the latest milestone in our drive to advance and adopt hybrid technology into our fleet and the broader industry,” said John Formisano, vice president, Global Vehicles, FedEx Express. “FedEx and our suppliers have demonstrated that converted hybrids are a viable, lower-cost option compared to purchasing new hybrids. We now need government incentives to end a Catch-22 situation: Production volumes are low due to high cost, and costs will only come down with higher production volumes.”